From high cholesterol, high blood pressure and prediabetes to healthiest he’s ever been – how an ex-CEO turned his health around

After years of smoking, regular alcohol drinking and eating processed foods, Alex Mearns got a wake-up call after a medical check-up prompted by dizzy spells

He lost 12kg and is now in the best shape of his life after altering his diet – but avoiding ‘fad diets’ – as well as varying his workouts and changing careers

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Strength training keeps Singapore resident Alex Mearns fit and strong, who also eats a diet free of processed foods, instead opting for organic meat, wild-caught fish, and vegetables, rice and fruit.

Published: 6:15pm, 13 Jun 2022

At 46 years old, Alex Mearns is in excellent shape and the fittest and healthiest he’s ever been. He sprints, swims, power walks and strength trains weekly, and enjoys a diet filled with what he calls “real food” – organic meats free of antibiotics and added hormones, wild-caught fish, and vegetables, rice and fruit.

He was a different man a decade ago.

“I smoked up to 20 cigarettes a day, drank alcohol several times a week, and subsisted on a less-than-ideal diet of cereal, sandwiches, and other processed and convenience foods,” shares the Englishman, who has lived in Singapore for about 20 years, ahead of Men’s Health Week (June 13-19).

He also wasn’t doing much exercise and was about 15kg (33lb) overweight. He didn’t think he had any medical conditions, but when he started feeling dizzy in the afternoons, he went for a check-up. He learned he had a high body mass index, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and prediabetes.

“That marked a turning point for me and I soon began researching ways to improve my health,” says the former CEO of a fintech company specialising in hedge fund research.

A decade ago, Mearns was a heavy smoker. Photo: Courtesy of Alex Mearns

At first, he decided to “move more and eat less” – he joined a gym, hired a personal trainer and drastically cut his calorie intake. But after four months and a lot of money, he didn’t feel any better.